I started work on the catio on 6/17/15 and finished on 8/20/15. This slideshow reduces 2 months of work down to 8 minutes. Which I realize is kind of long… there is a fast-forward arrow you can use to speed it up! The slideshow should start automatically. If you only see a grey box, click the box to start the slideshow. There are captions under each photo.
If you can believe it [I couldn’t!!!] the cost of materials for the cat enclosure came to $989. The biggest expenses were the wood [$300], the cat door [$100], the cushions [$100], and the metal braces/connectors [$140]. But still – OMFG!!! If I had to do it over I could probably swing it for $750-$800. But it would be really hard to create this beast for less than that!
This was by far my most favorite project I’ve done yet! It was amazing to go from conception to completion in 3 months. I designed and built it all by myself, it’s the first thing I’ve ever built. It’s 6’x6’x3′ and the frame is made of 2×4’s. The catio was completed in 2015, and upgraded in 2016 & 2017.
OMG!!! I can’t honestly believe it’s done. It’s consumed so much of my time and thoughts for the past 2 months. But it’s actually DONE!
Now that the cat enclosure is built, and our replacement windows are installed, I’ve been focused on getting the connector built. The connector will attach to the house outside the dining room window and give the kitties easy access to their catio.
Now that we have new replacement windows [W00T!], I’ve been able to secure the cat door in the dining room window. Once I finish building the connector, the cats will be able to use the cat door to access their outdoor cat enclosure. We’ve always had a sage green file storage cabinet / sideboard / credenza thingy in front of the window.
Yesterday and today Rite Window was here installing our 10 double-hung sash replacement windows on the back of the house. It’s super exciting! We love how the new windows look. And I’m super DUPER excited that I’ll be able to connect the outdoor cat enclosure to the house now!!!
Until our replacement windows are built and installed, I can’t connect the cat enclosure to the house. So for now I’m carrying the boys* out to it. I’ve been bringing Bonkers out since construction started and letting him explore. He’s our “I want to be outside all the time!” kitty, and howled at the back door whenever he saw me in the yard working on it without him.
Two weekends ago I was standing in the yard, minding my own business, when I hip-checked the cat enclosure by accident. Moments later a torrent of water cascaded down my face, chest, and drill. D’oh! It turns out a flat polycarbonate plastic roof is great until it rains, and then it’s just FULL of surprises! So. I decided the roof needed to be angled. Stat!
